Things to do in South Korea

25 things to do in South Korea

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace

  Walk through the grand main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, admiring the intricate throne hall and the serene Hyangwonjeong Pavilion surrounded by lotus ponds.

  Seoul

• Wander through Bukchon Hanok Village

  Stroll quiet alleyways lined with beautifully preserved traditional Korean houses (hanok) and enjoy rooftop views over Seoul’s historic heart.

  Seoul

• Visit the DMZ and Joint Security Area

  Step into the tension-filled Korean Demilitarized Zone and stand at the border between South and North Korea inside the iconic blue conference huts.

  Paju

• Hike Seoraksan National Park

  Trek through dramatic granite peaks, misty forests and ancient temples in one of Korea’s most beloved mountain parks, with breathtaking autumn foliage.

  Sokcho

• Relax on Haeundae Beach

  Soak up the sun on Busan’s famous crescent-shaped beach, backed by skyscrapers and lively with festivals, beachside cafes and night sea views.

  Busan

• Get lost in Gamcheon Culture Village

  Weave through a hillside maze of brightly painted houses and quirky street art, often called the ‘Machu Picchu of Busan’, with hidden cafes and galleries.

  Busan

• Experience Hongdae nightlife

  Dive into the indie music, street performances and buzzing bars around Hongik University, the epicentre of Seoul’s youthful, artistic after-dark scene.

  Seoul

• Grill samgyeopsal in a Mapo-gu BBQ alley

  Join locals at sizzling tabletop grills in one of Seoul’s famous meat districts, wrapping smoky pork belly in fresh lettuce with potent garlic and ssamjang.

  Seoul

• Taste street food at Gwangjang Market

  Browse Korea’s most celebrated traditional market by eating your way through stalls of bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap and spicy tteokbokki.

  Seoul

• Stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream

  Escape the high-rise bustle by walking this tranquil reclaimed waterway in central Seoul, dotted with waterfalls, stepping stones and seasonal light festivals.

  Seoul

• Watch sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong

  Climb UNESCO-listed volcanic tuff cone on Jeju Island before dawn to watch the sun rise over the ocean from its dramatic crater rim.

  Jeju Island

• Explore Hwaseong Fortress

  Walk the 5.7 km stone wall encircling Suwon, a masterpiece of late-18th-century military architecture, with four main gates and command posts.

  Suwon

• Wander Jeonju Hanok Village

  Immerse yourself in over 800 traditional hanok houses, artisan workshops and the birthplace of bibimbap, a living museum of Joseon-era urban life.

  Jeonju

• Take a Han River night cruise

  See Seoul sparkle from the water on an evening ferry past the Banpo Bridge rainbow fountain and the glittering city skyline reflected in the river.

  Seoul

• Soak in a jjimjilbang at Dragon Hill Spa

  Unwind in a multi-storey Korean bathhouse with hot mineral pools, clay-salt saunas and a rooftop lounge, a quintessential local wellness ritual.

  Seoul

• Picnic under cherry blossoms at Jinhae Gunhangje Festival

  Join Korea’s largest spring flower festival as the entire city of Jinhae turns pink with over 350,000 cherry trees framing the romance-filled Yeojwacheon stream.

  Changwon (Jinhae-gu)

• Discover Ihwa Mural Village

  Climb sharp alleys decorated with whimsical wall paintings and art installations, a regenerated hillside neighbourhood offering panoramic views of the city wall.

  Seoul

• Visit Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto

  Admire the sublime stone Buddha and the elegant wooden halls of this double UNESCO site, pinnacles of Silla-era Buddhist artistry and mountain serenity.

  Gyeongju

• Shop and snack in Myeongdong

  Navigate Seoul’s busiest shopping district, where cosmetics flagship stores, fashion boutiques and steaming carts of hotteok pancakes compete for attention.

  Seoul

• Ascend N Seoul Tower

  Ride the cable car up Namsan Mountain to the communications tower for a 360-degree observation deck and the famous ‘locks of love’ fence.

  Seoul

• Wander the Boseong Green Tea Fields

  Lose yourself among terraced hills wrapped in neatly trimmed emerald tea bushes, taking photos and sipping fresh green tea ice cream in a fragrant valley.

  Boseong County

• Cycle the Han River bike path

  Rent a bicycle and pedal along the flat, scenic riverside trails, passing parks, bridges and pop-up cafes with the city skyline on one side and water on the other.

  Seoul

• Catch sunrise at Homigot

  Welcome the first rays of the day at the easternmost tip of mainland Korea, where the giant bronze ‘Hand of Harmony’ sculpture rises from the sea.

  Pohang

• Step into Andong Hahoe Folk Village

  Roam a living Joseon-era clan village inside a river bend, where thatched cottages and noble houses preserve mask dance traditions and traditional lifestyles.

  Andong

• Meditate at a Golgulsa templestay

  Train in Sunmudo martial arts meditation at this cliffside temple cave, spending a night in silence with monks and morning chants among pine forests.

  Gyeongju